Why does religion sometimes get a bad name?

[dfp42]

I know this question may seem strange, but it seems many people including myself struggle with this.

It seems that it comes down to individual people being the problem. To the apparent contradictions vs the hypocritical life styles of people live that claim to be Catholic or good. I struggle with this so much on a daily basis, almost to the point where I am being tempted to give up. I feel a terrible force coming that wants me to just give in to promiscuous lifestyles of others. Even from within my own family. The family is what seems to hurt the most because I assume they should all just know better since they been Catholic their whole lives. I really thought, I would be the one learning from them but this is not happening so much. The more I read/pray the more I come to know the truth on the faith, the more upset I become that no one around me is like this and I’m the strange one. Is this a normal feeling? I was raised a Catholic and had my sacraments. I feel upset that the faith is not taken serious. But then it seems as if everyone turned lukewarm in my family about the faith. I get so may twisted fundamental theories from my own father who likes to justify everything in life to what is said in the bible (opinions). I just find it very difficult that he doesn’t seem to know that you need to understand it the way the Catholic Church understands it. As if Dei Verbum has no weight. Values and traditions seemed to have vanished. What used to be sacred is no longer. It’s as if no one cares, just live/love and do whatever you want. If I ask my friends or family questions about the Catholic faith its as if I’m looked at strange. If I bring the faith up, they say I’m judging. At the same time, this is exactly what my family wanted me to know since the beginning. Is there anyone out there that understands? I’m 29 yrs old and I come to know how sad this situation between right and wrong can be. I truly don’t want to be sad about it. It seems that I just can’t win to lose…

I never wanted any of this or thought that this is how I would feel.
As I get pushed away…in the corner of my room alone. I know I must take my place and realize I am not alone on this. I must do what I must do for him. Please help my Lord, my God.

 

[cmscms]

Sadly, not a lot of people have the gift of faith. I have heard of nuns who go about their daily lives by choice and they don’t feel the warm fuzzy feelings one would want from God. Perhaps you are in a sense luckier than the rest of your family to have the gift of faith.

When people call the church judgemental, I think there are 2 reasons

1-) some judgemental 'Catholicsare out there so they give the church a bad name. (notice the quotation marks because they arent really true Catholic`s)

2-) Wheter one intellectualy admits sin is wrong is beside the point. God gave us all a conscience and when we jump on society`s band wagon and do the fashionable thing, we still have knowledge that it is wrong. People subconsciously convict themselves and instead of being mature and changing their ways. they further sin and lay blame elsewhere. So they continue to be fashionable and blame the church

Just my 2 cents

CM

 

[I_Fortuna]

dfp42

Be the example.

I use this to keep myself less sinful :

I tell myself, what if I am the last person to try to be free from sin? What if the whole world depends on my being good and doing the right thing? What if I am the only one keeping God from destroying the whole world and humans?

Of course I know I am not, but the salvation of the entire human community does depend on the few who choose to follow Christ and adhere to God’s laws.

None of us is free from sin, just some of us are more free than others.

Yes, it can be lonely, but if you develop a relationship with Mary and Jesus it is profoundly full. Talk to Mary and the saints, talk to Jesus. I talk out loud to them but they already know your heart if you are not comfortable speaking to them out loud.

Don’t give up, what you are experiencing is the enemy (Satan) trying to creep into your life and separate you from God. In Hebrew, as I was told, the word Satan means anything that manifests itself in one’s life that becomes an obstacle to our closeness to God. So, Satan is just the obstacle. When you see obstacles arise, try not to dwell on them and pray even on Hail Mary and Our Father, more if you can and things will transform for you.

Also, ask your priest for blessing and express your doubts and loneliness to him and God.